Related Event: Ukrainian Political Crisis

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan says China respects the Ukrainian people's choice in its Presidential Election.

Kong Quan made the remark after the Ukrainian Supreme Court cleared the way for Viktor Yushchenko to assume the Presidency when it dismissed an appeal from former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich against the result.

The Ukrainian Presidential election was rerun on December 26 after the first vote was declared invalid due to widespread corruption.

Kong Quan says China is looking forward to developing a friendly relationship with the Ukrainian government.